Collapsible basketball goal

ABSTRACT

The combination of a backboard and basketball goal wherein mounts are fixed upon the backboard and the basketball goal is hingedly supported upon said mounts whereby the said goal may swing within a vertical plane between downward, or game playing condition, and upward, inoperative position, with the ring of the goal substantially planarwise parallel to the backboard. Brace rods are affixed at one of their ends to the goal and are individually detachably securable to said mounts. Each brace is adjustable to assure proper positioning of the goal in usage.

United States Patent [19] Boitano et al.

[ COLLAPSIBLE BASKETBALL GOAL [75] Inventors: Robert A. Boitano; Charles J. Engle,

' both of St. Louis, Mo.

[73} Assignee: Gared Corporation, St. Louis, Mo.

[22] Filed: July 9, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 377,527

[52] U.S. Cl. 273/15 R, 248/291 [51 1 Int. Cl A63b 63/02 [58] Field of Search 273/15 R, 1.5 A; 248/291, 248/286 (56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 914,387 3/1909 l 5l6,859 ll/l924 2,596,543 5/1952 3,534,956 III/I970 3,603,588 9/197] June 28, 1974 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS l.3l3,02l l1/l962 France 273/15 R Primary E.\'aminerRichard C. Pinkham Assistant Examiner-Paul E. Shapiro Attorney, Agent, or FirmRalph W. Kalish 5 7 ABSTRACT The combination of a backboard and basketball goal wherein mounts are fixed upon the backboard and the basketball goal is hingedly supported upon said mounts whereby the said goal may swing within a vertical plane between downward, or game playing condition, and upward, inoperative position, with the ring of the goal substantially planarwise parallel to the backboard. Brace rods are affixed at one of their ends to the goal and are individually detachably securable to said mounts. Each brace is adjustable to assure proper positioning of the goal in usage.

6 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures COLLAPSIBLE BASKETBALL GOAL BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates in general to basketball goals and, more particularly, to the combination of a basketball goal and backboard wherein the goal is movable between playing condition and inoperative condition.

Heretofore, the shipping of basketball goals and associated backboards has caused certain problems in that with the goal rigidly affixed to the backboard, a substantially voluminous packaging is required with commensurate shipping charges being incurred. Transporting the goal and backboard separately to the intended user necessitates an assembly problem which is not always easily accomplished and particularly so with goals for home usage.

Furthermore, such goals usually comprehend brace rods welded to the goal and to the back plate so that the same are not adjustable. Deformation of the rods, as

through shipping or usage, do not permit of facile correction, most often necessitating replacement. Certain limited attempts have been made to develop a goal mounting for swingable movement upon a backboard, but such have not proved successful as a result of complexity of structure, as well as lack of means for compensating for deformation in the support elements.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a basketball goal which is uniquely pivotally mounted upon a backboard so that when in disuse may be swung to present the ring of the goal into substantially planar parallel relationship to the backboard and thus present a compact, relatively flat article for shipping in minimum space.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a collapsible basketball goal which is easily disposed into playing condition, necessitating no more than the customary hand tools found in the average home tool chest, so that the heretofore accepted difficulties of goal mounting are obviated.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a combination backboard and basketball goal wherein the same are in integral condition, whether in operative or inoperative condition, thereby eliminating the multiplicity of discrete independent components customarily provided for basketball goal assembly.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a collapsible basketball goal incorporating independent brace rods, each of which may be suitably adjusted to compensate for any sagging or the like of the goal through usage, or any inadvertent displacement of the same from requisite playing position as through bending, etc. I

It is another object of the present invention to provide a basketball goal of the character stated which comprehends a simplicity of parts, each of which are durable and, hence, resistant to breakdown; which goal may be most economically produced; and which is reliable in usage.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a basketball goal mounted upon a backboard in a manner constructed in accordance with and embodying the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a vertical transverse sectional view taken on the line 22 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a vertical transverse sectional view taken on the line 33 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary plan view, in partial section, taken on the line 4-4 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view illustrating the goal in collapsed or inoperative condition.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Provided upon the lower central portion of backboard B is a pair of horizontally spaced-apart cooperative mounts 4,4 which are preferably of identical character for economy in production and ease of replacement. Mounts 4,4 are of angle shape in cross section, each having a relatively narrow base flange 5,5, respectively, disposed flatwise against backboard B and a upport flange 6,6, respectively, which is planarwise perpendicular to the related base flange 5,5 and, accordingly, to the plane of backboard B. Each base flange 5,5 is fixed to backboard B as by a pair of upper and lower bolts 7,7, with the latter extending through elongated apertures 8,8, respectively, provided in base flanges 5,5. Said apertures 8,8 thus conduce to facility in securing mounts 4,4 for permitting of preselected location of lower bolts 7,7. Support flanges 6,6 of mounts 4,4 are .in parallel relationship and are presented on the side of said mounts 4,4 remote from the proximate lateral edges of backboard B. Support flanges 6,6 also incorporate elongated vertically extending apertures 9,9 for purposes presently appearing; and in their upper end portions said support flanges 6,6 contain aligned openings 10,10, respectively, to provide bearings within which are journalled the ends of a hinge rod 11 extending transversely between said support flanges 6,6 and projecting at its end slightly therebeyond. By way of identity of the mounts 4,4, it may be observed that openings 10,10 in flanges 6,6 correspond to openings (not shown) in flanges 5,5 through which upper bolts 7 extend.

Hinge rod 11 is ridigly secured, through welding, indicated 12, to the undersurface of the rearward portion of the horizontal component 13 of a back plate 14 fabricated of sheet stock and incorporating a vertical component or flange 15 at its rearward end for extension normally downwardly therefrom. At its forward or hinge rod remote end, horizontal component 13 is secured, also as by welding, at 16, to the rearward portion of ring 1. The longitudinal extent of horizontal component 13 is such as to locate ring 1 the prescribed distance from backboard B when goalA is in playing position (see FIG. 1).

Accordingly, it will be seen that goal A, by means of back plate 14, is integral with hinge rod 11 so that swinging of the latter will cause a commensurate rocking of goal 1 within a vertical plane. Flange of back plate 14 is relatively short and suitably punched adjacent each of its side edges for alignment with openings (not shown) provided in backboard B to permit of extension therethrough of bolts 17 for attaching said flange directly to backboard B between mounts 4,4. Upon removal of bolts 17 backplate 14 is disposed for rocking upon swinging of hinge rod 11 between operative position, as indicated in FIG. 3, and inoperative position, as shown in FIG. 5, wherein ring 1 will be brought into planar parallel relationship against backboard B upwardly of mounts 4,4. It will, of course, be apparent that FIG. 5 has omitted therefrom the net 3.

Provided for stabilizing goal A in game position, is a pair of brace rods 18,18 which at their forward ends are rigidly affixed to ring 1, as at 19,19, through welding and in the normally rearward portion or backboardadjacent portion of ring 1. Said brace rods 18,18 are convergingly related as they progress from ring 1 to a point spacedly from backboard B and are thence bent, as at 20,20, into general axially parallel relationship. At the end extremeties of each of said brace rods 18,18 the same are bent in a loop like manner to form eyelets 21,21 for extension therethrough of the stems 22,22 of relatively short bolts projecting through openings 9 within the related support flange 6,6 of mounts 4,4. Said brace rods are presented against the laterally outwardly directed faces of said flanges 6,6, there being a gasket 23,23 held thereagainst by the head 24,24 of the bolts 22,22; nuts 25,25 being secured upon the inner projecting ends of each bolt 22,22 in abutment against the proximate inner face of each support flange 6,6.

It will thus be seen that brace rods 18,18 are mutually independent, as distinguished from conventional construction wherein the same are actually a part of a unitary construction which is normally welded directly to the back plate. In the present case, each brace rod 18,18 is individually secured upon its respective mount 4,4 and may be individually secured so as to compensate for any sagging or uneveness in the presentation of ring 1. The elongated apertures 9,9 allow a marked range of adjustability thereby enhancing the longevity of the goal A since any deflection or deformation encountered through long usage may be easily offset.

Thus, with goal A disposed in the manner shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, with bolts 17 secured, and with bolts 22,2 retaining brace rods 18,18, respectively, in stable condition, goal A is available for playing purposes. However, when it is desired to effect transport of goal A, or to dispose same for compact storage, the user need merely release bolts 22,22 to free rods 18,18 from engagement with said mounts 4,4, respectively, and to release bolts 17. Thereby upon the application of an upwardly directed force upon ring 1, the same will cause pivot rod 11 to turn and threby permit ring 1 to move easily and freely into a collapsed state, against backboard B, as illustrated in FIG. 5. Thereupon, the combination backboard and goal are fully compacted, requiring minimum space for either transport or storage.

Having described our invention what we claim and desire to obtain by Letters Patent is:

1. The combination of a basketball backboard and a basketball goal, said latter comprising a rim, means swingably engaging said rim upon said backboard for movement between horizontal or game playing position and vertical or inoperative position wherein said rim is in substantially planar parallel relationship to the confronting portion of said backboard, a pair of spacedapart mounting members engaged upon said backboard, said mounting members each having a first flange in planar perpendicular relationship to said backboard, first and second brace rods each fixed in their forward end portions upon said rim, each of said first and second brace rods having a loop-like formation at their rim-remote ends, first and second fastener members, respectively, extending through the loop-like formations at the ends of said first and second brace rods, there being openings provided in said mounting member first flanges for extension therethrough of siad first and second fastener members, said first flange openings being vertically elongated permitting of selected relative vertical location of said rim-remote ends of said first and second brace rods.

2. The combination of a basketball backboard and a basketball goal as defined in claim 1 and further characterized by said swingable means comprising a pivot rod, said mounting member first flanges having aligned bearing openings upwardly of said elongated openings, said pivot rod being journalled at its ends in said bearing openings, and means connecting said rim to said pivot rod.

3. The combination of a basketball backboard and a basketball goal as defined in claim 2 and further characterized by said means connecting said rim and said pivot rod comprising a connector member fixed at its normally outer end to the said rim and fixed in its inner end portion upon said pivot rod, said connector member being engaged to said rim in its rearward or courtremote portion.

4. The combination of a basketball backboard and a basketball goal as defined in claim 3 and further characterized by said pivot rod bearing openings being presented spacedly from the adjacent face of said backboard, said connecting member comprising a plate fixed at its forward end to the rearward portion of said rim and engaged in its opposite end portion upon said pivot rod, there being a flange provided on the rearward end portion of said plate for disposition between said backboard and said pivot rod.

5. The combination of a basketball backboard and a basketball goal as defined in claim 1 and further characterized by each of said mounting members having a second flange in planar parallel relationship to said backboard, each of said second flanges having elongate vertical openings, and fastener members extending through said second flange vertical elongate openings whereby said mounting members may be selectedly positioned relatively vertical of said backboard.

6. In combination with a basketball backboard having a front or court-confronting planar face, and mounting members fixed on said backboard front face in its lower central portion, said mounting members each having a first flange in planar perpendicular relationship to said backboard, of a basketball goad comprising a rim, a back plate fixed in its forward end upon the rearward end portion of said rim and extending normally rearwardly therefrom toward said backboard, said plate having a depending flange in its rearward or tical opening beneath the hinge rod bearings, a bolt provided for extension through each of said elongate vertical openings, each of said first and second brace rods having eyelets provided in their rearward or rimremote ends for extension therethrough of said bolts, said elongate vertical openings of said first flanges of said mounting members permitting of selected relative vertical location of said rim-remote ends of said first and second brace rods.

UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION PATENT NO. 3,820,784

DATED June 28, 1974 INVENTOR(S) Robert A. Boitano and Charles J. Engle It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patnt are hereby corrected as shown below:

In the Heading, after "Assignee", "Gared Corporation" should be ---Gared Company-. A

Sigurd and Scaled this Tenth Day of July/984 [SEAL] Arrest:

GERALD .I. MOSSINGHOFF Attesting Officer Commissioner of Parents and Trademarks 

1. The combination of a basketball backboard and a basketball goal, said latter comprising a rim, means swingably engaging said rim upon said backboard for movement between horizontal or game playing position and vertical or inoperative position wherein said rim is in substantially planar parallel relationship to the confronting portion of said backboard, a pair of spaced-apart mounting members engaged upon said backboard, said mounting members each having a first flange in planar perpendicular relationship to said backboard, first and second brace rods each fixed in their forward end portions upon said rim, each of said first and second brace rods having a loop-like formation at their rim-remote ends, first and second fastener members, respectively, extending through the loop-like formations at the ends of said first and second brace rods, there being openings provided in said mounting member first flanges for extension therethrough of siad first and second fastener members, said first flange openings being vertically elongated permitting of selected relative vertical location of said rim-remote ends of said first and second brace rods.
 2. The combination of a basketball backboard and a basketball goal as defined in claim 1 and further characterized by said swingable means comprising a pivot rod, said mounting member first flanges having aligned bearing openings upwardly of said elongated openings, said pivot rod being journalled at its ends in said bearing openings, and means connecting said rim to said pivot rod.
 3. The combination of a basketball backboard and a basketball goal as defined in claim 2 and further characterized by said means connecting said rim and said pivot rod comprising a connector member fixed at its normally outer end to the said rim and fixed in its inner end portion upon said pivot rod, said connector member being engaged to said rim in its rearward or court-remote portion.
 4. The combination of a basketball backboard and a basketball goal as defined in claim 3 and further characterized by said pivot rod bearing openings being presented spacedly from the adjacent face of said backboard, said connecting member comprising a plate fixed at its forward end to the rearward portion of said rim and engaged in its opposite end portion upon said pivot rod, there being a flange provided on the rearward end portion of said plate for disposition between said backboard and said pivot rod.
 5. The combination of a basketball backboard and a basketball goal as defined in claim 1 and further characterized by each of said mounting members having a second flange in planar parallel relationship to said backboard, each of said second flanges having elongate vertical openings, and fastener members extending through said second flange vertical elongate openings whereby said mounting members may be selectedly positioned relatively vertical of said backboard.
 6. In combination with a basketball backboard having a front or court-confronting planar face, and mounting members fixed on said backboard front face in its lower central portion, said mounting members each having a first flange in planar perpendicular relationship to said backboard, of a basketball goad comprising a rim, a back plate fixed in its forward end upon the rearward end portion of said rim and extending normally rearwardly therefrom toward said backboard, said plate having a depending flange in its rearward or backboard adjacent portion, aligned bearings provided in the upper portion of said first flanges of said mounting members, a hinge rod journalled in said bearings for extension between said mounting members, said hinge rod being spaced forwardly of said backboard, said back plate in its rearward portion being fixed upon said hinge rod, said flange on said back plate extending between said hinge rod and said backboard, first and second brace rods fixed at their forward ends upon said rim for extension toward said backboard, said mounting members each being provided with an elongate vertical opening beneath the hinge rod bearings, a bolt provided for extension through each of said elongate vertical openings, each of said first and second brace rods having eyelets provided in their rearward or rim-remote ends for extension therethrough of said bolts, said elongate vertical openings of said first flanges of said mounting members permitting of selected relative vertical location of said rim-remote ends of said first and second brace rods. 